Combination clothes rack and locker



y 1940- R. v. POLEN COMBINATION CLOTHES RACK AND LOCKER ori inal Filled July 17, 19s? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Pal-sat. V. R1. :0.

ms ATTORNEYS.

May 28, 1940. R. v. POLEN COMBINATION CLOTHES BACK AND LOCKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed, July-1'7. 1937 m. mv M fuss-:42 1 ABLE/V.

' ms ATTORNEYS.

- Patented May 28,

um'ran S A E.

2,202,421 I COMBINATION CLOTHES men Ann LOOKE Russell V. Polen, Dayton, assignments, to lLyon .porated, Aurora, 111., a

Ohio, assignor, by'mesne Metal Products, Incorcorporation of Illinois 7 Application July 17, 1937, Serial N0. 154,265

I Renewed July 6, 1939 9 Claims.

' This invention relates to clothes racks and particularly to a combined clothes rack and lockerdevice. I I

An object of my' invention is to provide an improved combined clothes rack and locker device of unitary construction.

Another object of my invention is to provide a combined clothes rack and locker capable of receiving and independently locking the clothes of a plurality of users that is compact and will therefore occupy a comparatively small amount of floor space. v

. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved compact combined clothes rack and locker device that is constructed entirely of sheet metal stampings or punchings.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a combined locker and coat hanging rack wherein means is provided whereby a person may'hang his coat upon a hanger and may lock his hat in one of a number of lockers and wherein means is provided for preventing the removal of the coat from the hanger unless the locker is unlocked, whereby to prevent theft of the coat and whereby a hung coat is always identifi ed with .a particular locker.

A stillfurther object of my invention is to provide a combined clothes rack and locker device for use by a plurality of persons and in which device the clothes such as topcoats or overcoats of each individual user is locked to the individuals locker containing his or her hat or other small items, to thereby render all the removed wearing apparel of each user substantially theft proof. a

In carrying out the foregoing objects it is a still further-and more specific object of my invention to provide a combined'clothes rack and locker device in-which the lockers thereof are reticulated for aircircula'tion therethrough and in which the clothes supported by the rack are exposed for quick drying purposes.

Further gbjects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein a preferred form of the present'invention is clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a combined clothes rack and locker device constructed in accordance with the present invention; 7 s

Fig. 2 is afragmentaryvertical sectional view through the locker portion of the device shown in Fig. 1 and is taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the device shown in Fig. 1 and is taken on theline 33 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the locker, portion of the device shown in Fig. 1 and is taken on the'line 4-4 oi F18. 2.

Referring to the drawings, for illustrating the invention, 1 have shown in Fig. 1 thereof a unitary combined clothes rack and locker device generally represented by the reference character ill. The device iii comprises a base I i having end 1 upright 'U-shaped iron members l2 and II secured thereto by a pair of metal plates 14. Each plate it is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to base I i and one plate i4 is secured to the upright iron member i2 by bolts or rivets I! while the 15 other plate is similarly secured to the upright l8. Metal braces l6 extend at an angle to each of the uprights l2 and I3 and have one end secured thereto by bolts or rivets I1 and have the other end secured by belts or rivets l8 to base-l l.' The standard formed by the elements, l2, l3, l4, and i6 isadapted to support 9. preferably horizontally elongated box-like structure generally represented by the reference character 20. This. box-like structure 20 forms a locker portion of the device lb and is constructed of a plurality of sheet metal plates secured together and arranged to provide a plurality of separated compartments or lockers 2| (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The elongated box-like structure or locker portion 20 of the device Iii rests upon and is supported by the uprights l2 and IS. A metal plate 28 is secured to the upright l3 by bolts or rivets. 24 and a second similarly shaped plate 25 at the other end of the standard is secured to the upright l2 by bolts or rivets 28. The plates 23 and 25 flt under the ends of the box-like portion" of device l0 and are secured thereto bybolts or rivets 28 (see Fig. '4) to thereby'rigidly hold the portion 20 of device it upon the upright supports l2 and it to form a unitary structure. Angularly disposed metal braces 29 and 8! have oneend secured to uprights i 2 and i3 by bolts or rivets 32 and have their other'ends secured by bolts or rivets 33 (see Fig. 4) to the bottom wall of the box-like or locker portion "of the device Ill. It will be noted that the upright U-shaped iron members 12 and II. and the angularly disposed T-shaped braces I5,

29 and 3| are located at the longitudinal vertical center of the unitary device ill and that the base ll, plates Hi, 23 and 25 as well as the box-like or locker portion 20 extend outwardly a considerable distance from the center of the standard. The space below the locker portion 20 of device Ill provides a suitable shielded or sheltered clothes storage space. Therefore I utilize this space as a clothes rack and in order to hang clothes in the space provided on each side of the uprights I2 and I3 I have provided elongated means herein the box portion 20 of device l0 and support aplurality of hangers or coat supporting means 38 having a closed ring portion 39 encircling the rod (see Fig. 2) Each hanger 38 has a. chain 4| secured thereto by a closed ring portion or element 42 and a lock 43. The purpose of permanently securing the hangers 38 to rods 35 and chains 4| to the hangers will become apparent hereafter.

By referring now to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 it will be seen that the plurality of compartments or lookers 2| provided in locker portion 2|! ofthe unitary device III are formed by a plurality of vertically disposed sheet metal plate members 5| and 52 and by a plurality of horizontally disposed sheet metal plate members 53 and 54 secured together by bolts or rivets 55. It will be noted that the vertical sheet metal plate members 5| form continuous or solid side walls for the compartments 2| and that the longitudinally extending vertical sheet metal plate member 52 is provided with a plurality of openings 56 therein to thereby provide reticulated partitioning end walls of the vertically disposed horizontally aligned compartments 2|, It is also to be noted that the horizontally disposed sheet metal plate members 53 form the closed top and bottom walls of the locker section 20 of device l0 and that the intermediate sheet metal plate members 54 form partitioning walls between the vertically aligned compartments 2 I. Therefore the locker section 2|! of device In comprises a plurality of rows of vertically aligned and a plurality of rows of horizontally aligned lockers or compartments 2 I. In the structure disclosed ten lockers or compartments 2| are provided on each side of the device It to thus provide a device that can be used by twenty employes or individuals. However, it is to be understood that a device constructed in accordance with the'present disclosure and containing any desired number of lockers and hangers may be provided without departing from the spirit of my invention. Each locker 2| has its open front closed by a door 6| comprising a frame 62 and an intermediate wire mesh or the like portion 63 welded or otherwise suitably secured to thedoor frame (see Fig. 2). Each .frame 62 of door 6| has a slot or hasp portion cut or formed therein for receiving a staple portion 65 of a metal bracket 66 secured inwardly of the lockers 2| and projecting outwardly therefrom (see Figs. 2 and 3).

I In the use of the device ID by employes each individual is assigned a locker number and a corresponding clothes hanger number and each upon removing their topcoat, raincoat or overcoat hang same on their assigned clothes hanger. 'The padlock 43 is unlocked and removed from the hanger and the padlock or free end of chain 4| is passed through a sleeve of their coat. The individuals hat is removed and placed in the assigned locker 2| and the locker door 6| is closed. Then the padlock 43 secured to the free end of chain 4| is locked to the staple por- .are obvious. The perforated vertical partition 52 of the locker 2| and the perforated door or wire mesh fronts thereof provide air circulation between the interior of the compartments 2| and the air exteriorly of the device. Thus all wear- .ing apparel removed by the individual and locked to or within the combined clothes rack and locker device It] is exposed to the air within the room in which the device is-locked and will be dried quickly should they be wet when removed from the individuals. The ventilation of the lockers or compartments 2| also permits proper storage of food products such as the user's lunch or the like.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided an improved combined clothes rackand locker structure which is constructed entirely of steel and sheet metal punchings or stampings to thereby reduce manufacturing costs thereof and to form a rigid, strong and durable unitary construction. The improved device while accommodating the clothes of a plurality of persons and locking same thereto in a theft proof manner occupies a minimum amount of floor space. My improved combined device eliminates the necessity of providing a plurality of clothes closets and separate lockers for a plurality of employes or individuals and the locking of the clothes in the manner described prevents individuals acc'idently removing the wrong wearing apparel from the device. A device constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly useful in manufacturing plants and the like where to minimize the floor space to be occupied by such devices is of high importance.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A unitary structure forming a combined clothes rack and locker device comprising in combination, a base, a pair of spaced apart members secured to said base and supporting means extending upwardly therefrom, a box-like element permanently attached to and supported upon said supporting means, said box-like element extending outwardly away from said supporting means and forming a sheltered space on each side thereof intermediate their tops and said base, means disposed in the upper portion of each of the spaces below said box-like element and extending substantially throughout the length thereof supporting a plurality of hangers, said hangers each being movable along the length of their supports and constructed and arranged to prevent removal therefrom, said box-like element comprising a plurality of walls dividing same into a plurality of rows of locker compartments each having a door opening and a door for closing the opening, each of said plurality of hangers having a continuous flexible member associated therewith, each of said flexible members having one end permanently secured to its associated hanger and adapted to be extendedthrough a sleeve of a coat or the like adapted to be supported on the hanger, and the free end of each of said flexible members having a lock ermanently secured thereto and adapted to be removably attached to a portion of said box-like element for securing the coat to said structure and for locking the locker compartment door.

2. A unitary clothes rack and locker device comprising in combination, a .base, a pair of "spaced apart members secured to said base and extending upwardly therefrom, a box-like element permanently attached, to and supported upon said members,

said box-like element extending outwardly away from said upright members and to a sheltered space on each side thereof intermediate their tops and said base, means disposed in the upper portion of each of the spaces below said box-like element and extending substantially throughout the length thereof supporting a plurality of hangers, said hangers each being movable along the length of their supports and constructed and arranged to prevent removal therefrom, said box-like element comprising a plurality of walls dividing same into a plurality of horizontally aligned and a plurality of vertically aligned rows of locker compartments each having a door opening and a door for closing the opening, the end walls of said horizontally aligned locker compartments being reticulated for circulation of air therebetween and therethrough, each of said plurality of hangers having a chain associated therewith, each of said chains having one end permanently secured to its associated sleeve of a coat or ported on the hanger, and of said chains having a lock the free end of each permanently secured thereto and adapted to be removably attachedto a portion of said box-like element for securing the coat to said structure and for locking the locker compartment door.

3. A unitary structure providing a combined clothes rack and locker combination, a standard portion and a box-like portion supported thereupon, said box-like porv tion of said device beingelongated and forming a sheltered space intermediatethe top and botdoor opening and tom of said standard portion, said box-like portion including a plurality of walls dividing same into a row of locker compartments each having a a door for closing the opening, a support member secured to said device in the upper part of the sheltered space below the boxlike portion thereof and having a plurality of;

coat or the like supporting units thereon, certain of said coat or the like supporting units including a hanger and a flexible element adapted to be extended through a sleeve or opening of a garment supported on said hanger, and an end of said flexibleelement being constructedand arranged to receive a lock adapted to be attached to a part of said box-like portion of said device for looking a locker compartment door and for locking the garment against removal from said structure.

4. A unitaryv structure forming a combined clothes rack and locker comprising in combina tion a base, supporting means extending upwardly therefrom, a series of lockers mounted on said supporting 'means, said lockers extending outwardly to form a sheltered space therebeneath, means disposed in such space below said locker elements and extending substantially throughout the length thereof supportlfig a plurality of structure fonning a combined to be extended through a the like adapted to be supdevice' comprising in hangers, each of said hangers being movable Y along the length of said supporting means and being non-detachable therefrom, each of said lockers having a door opening, and a door for closing the same, each of said plurality of hangers having a flexible elongated member associated therewith, each said flexible member having one end permanently secured to its hanger and adapted to be extended through the sleeve of a .coat or the like hung on the hanger, and the freeend of each of said flexible members having means adapted to engage with any one of said lockers and .being constructed and arranged whereby upon the closing and locking of the door of said locker said end of said flexible member will be irremovably connected thereto.

5. A combined locker and coat hanger comprising means forming an elongated, longitudinally disposed series of lockers, a door for each locker and having means for locking the door whereby relatively small articles may be retained in each of said lockers when the door islocked, and means. disposed adjacent to and extending substantially coextenslvely with said series of lockers supporting a plurality oi coat hangers, said means and said hangers being constructed and arranged-to permit said hangers individually to be moved along the length of said supporting means while preventing removal of said hangersv extended through the sleeve of a coat or the like and having an end portion provided with locking means adapted to engage the lokingmeans of the door whereby to lock the door and to lock the flexible member to the locker.

6. A combined locker and coat hanger comprising means forming 'an elongated, longitudinally disposed series of lockers, each locker having a lockable closure whereby relatively small articles may be placed in eachof said lockers and retained therein. by locking the closures therefor, and means disposed substantially coextensively with said elongated horizontal series of lockers supporting a plurality of coat hangers,

said means and said hangers being constructed and arranged to permit said hangers individually to be moved along the length of said supporting means and constructed and arranged to prevent removal of said hangers from said supporting means, each of said plurality of hangers having an elongated flexible member irremovably associated therewith and adapted to be extended through the sleeve of a coat or the like, the free end of each of said flexible members having a padlock permanently secured thereto and adapted to be irremovably attached to a locker and its closure for locking the closure of' said locker .and whereby said padlock, when in position in looking the closure of a particular locker, will likewise lock the particular hanger and the coat hung thereon, irremovably to said locker. "l. A combined locker and coat hanger comprising means forming an elongated, longitudinally disposed series of lockers, each locker having a lockable closure whereby relatively small articles may be placed in each of said lockers and retained therein by locking the closures therefor, and means disposed substantially coextensively with said elongated horizontal series of lockers supporting. a, plurality of coat hangers, said means and' said hangers being constructed and arranged to permit said hangers individually to be moved along the lengthof said supporting means and constructed and arranged to prevent removal of said hangers from said supporting means, each of said plurality of hangers having an elongated, flexible member irremovably connected thereto and adapted to be extended through the sleeve of a coat or the like, the free end of each of said flexible members having means adapted to be associated with the closure of a locker, whereby, when the closure of said locker is locked, the free end of such flexible member will likewise be locked to such locker.

8. In combination, an. elongated series of lockers, each locker having a lockable closure, elongated supporting means disposed substantially parallel to said elongated series of lockers and substantially coextensively therewith, means for irremovably supporting a plurality of coat hangers on said supporting means, said means permitting said coat hangers to shift lengthwise of said supporting means, each of said coat hangers having fixed thereto one portion of an elongated member adapted to be passed through the sleeve of a coat or the like supported on the hanger, a spaced portion of said elongated member having means adapted to be irremovably attached to a particular locker when the closure of said locker is locked but detachable from said locker when the closure of said locker is unlocked or opened;

9. A clothes rack comprising a series of individual lockers, each locker having a lockable door, said series extending in both horizontal and vertical directions, means disposed below and adjacent said lockers and substantially parallel toand substantially coextensive with the horizontally disposed tier of said lockers, said means being adapted shiftably and non-detachably to support a series of coat hangers, whereby each coat hanger may be shifted directly under any locker or whereby one or more coat hangers may be shiftably disposed beneath or adjacent to any one of said lockers, each coat hanger having elongated means irremovably attached thereto and adapted to be passed through the sleeve of a coat suspended on said hanger, the free portion of said elongated means having means adapted to be associated with a closing means of any locker, whereby, when said closing means is locked in closed position, the coat suspended from said hanger will be irremovably associated with such closed locker.

RUSSELL V. POLEN. 25 

